THE ROMA IN ALBANIA
The Roma in Albania constitute a minority of approximately 3% of the entire population, i.e., about 120,000 people distributed throughout the entire country, with about 5,000 living in the environs of Tirana, the capital city of Albania.
The majority of Roma live under conditions of the greatest squalor. In their everyday struggle to survive, they also face discrimination and prejudices of the population.
Due to their extreme poverty most children are unable to attend school. To survive they are forced to work. Some beg and others sell cigarettes or chewing gum. Albania has a very high rate of unemployment. The Roma people, however, are the poorest of the poor. Lack of education among most Roma and the high incidence of prejudices among the non-Roma make it virtually impossible for this minority to find employment.
This project sees itself as a struggle against prejudices, preconceived notions and intolerance.
In the hope that the heart will be touched by what the eye sees, allowing one’s thoughts to be renewed by a fresh breeze.
In Albania and elsewhere...
